Did you know that there are an estimated one billion websites on the internet? However, only about 5% of these websites exist on the internet as you know it. The rest lie under the surface of a network known as the “dark web.” Unfortunately, the dark web is notorious for illegal activity, including the sale of stolen identities. As such, understanding how this information ends up for sale can help you take the necessary steps to protect yourself. The following blog explores what you should know about these matters, including the importance of working with a Michigan identity theft lawyer to help you navigate these circumstances.
What Is the Dark Web?
The dark web is a network only accessible through specific software that the large majority of internet users will never need to access. In general, the dark web is notorious for illicit activities, including the trading of illegal pornography, purchasing drugs or firearms, terrorist communications, and fraud. The main draw of the dark web is that user activity is incredibly difficult to trace, leaving many users virtually anonymous.
While there are many troubling activities that occur on these networks, there are legitimate uses for accessing the dark web. In many instances, it is used by journalists to conduct research or even regular individuals in censored countries to access news sources and media that are otherwise banned.
How Are Identities Sold?
Typically, identities are obtained through various illegal means, most commonly through data breaches or phishing scams. In many instances, data breaches allow hackers to obtain the sensitive information of hundreds of thousands of consumers at a time, but they can be much more complicated to infiltrate as companies often have high-level security measures in place. However, sophisticated hackers can circumvent these measures to obtain unauthorized access to consumer information.
Generally, once an identity has been stolen, the initial hacker may use it for their own gain, such as making purchases or using part of the identity to create an entirely new one through synthetic identity theft. Once they are ready to put it on the market, they will generally “package” data, which essentially means they bundle your personal details to make the value of the identity higher. For example, instead of just selling credit card details, they may include billing addresses, or rather than just selling a social security number, the hacker may include your date of birth.
On the dark web, identities are sold through online marketplaces and e-commerce stores, not far from traditional platforms like Amazon or Etsy. Not only do these provide descriptions of the products and their prices, but these platforms allow customers to leave ratings and reviews. Payments on these platforms are held in escrow, meaning the seller will not receive the money until the product, which in this case is your identity, is transferred to the purchaser.
If you have reason to believe your information has ended up on the dark web, it’s imperative to connect with an experienced attorney at Lyngklip & Associates. Our team will assist you in the process of recovering and protecting your identity. Contact us today to learn more.
